ERIC Number: EJ1224422
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0125-2488
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Personality Traits of Thai Gen Z Undergraduates: Challenges in the EFL Classroom?
Sriprom, Chaisri; Rungswang, Atichat; Sukwitthayakul, Chirawan; Chansri, Natthicha
PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand, v57 p165-190 Jan-Jun 2019
It is believed that Generation Z's distinctive characteristics tend to challenge educators and employers in their organizations. To understand this cohort's traits or behaviors and know how to support this generation are key to the effectiveness of teaching, learning and collaboration with other generations. This study therefore aimed at discovering the personality traits of Gen Z undergraduates in Thailand by employing a mixed-method design. The participants in the study comprised 400 Gen Z undergraduate students at a university in Bangkok, Thailand. They were asked to respond to a questionnaire on a 4-point Likert's scale, which was developed based on the Big Five model (Goldberg, 1976) consisting of the 5 dimensions of personality: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Tech-addiction has been proposed as another dimension of the model due to the prevalence of technology and social media at the present time. Likewise, a focus group interview with 5 students and semi-structured interviews with 4 EFL teachers were conducted. The findings revealed that of the six-personality dimensions, agreeableness was rated at the highest level whereas neuroticism was rated lowest. The personality traits of Gen Z seem to challenge educators in terms of classroom management and activity design. The implications of the study may contribute to EFL classroom practice.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Personality Traits, Undergraduate Students, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Generational Differences, Student Characteristics, Social Media, Information Technology, Addictive Behavior, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes
Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.culi.chula.ac.th/publicationsonline/home_p1.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Thailand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A